THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

A book review by Paige Boehk


The book is based in Panem, which has 12 districts, and is governed by the capitol. The people who live in the capitol do little to nothing and are concerned only with the latest fashions and entertainment.  Each district is responsible for something, whether it be mines, agriculture, seafood, energy, material goods, peacekeepers. 

The Hunger Games is an annual "game" in which every year tributes from each district are picked.  One boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 are selected at random and are forced to fight till the death against each other until one victor stands alone.  If one of your tributes from your district wins the Hunger Games, it's an honor.  The district gets more food and a few luxuries.  It's basically a big reality show that no one really wants to watch but is forced to until it is over.

The main characters are Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark.  They are the tributes from district 12.  Katniss is a miner's daughter whose father died in a mine explosion.  To get food, she and her friend, Gale, go out of district 12 to hunt and gather food for their families.  While Peeta is a baker's son who helps out in the bakery, frosting cakes and baking bread.  They are both sent to the capitol and are put together by their mentor, Haymitch, and are sent into the arena. 

The book has lots more twists and turns.  You are going to have to read it to find out more!


Find it in YA FIC Collins, S.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

A book review by Aisha Ali

              This book deals with an Indian Boy who lives on a small reservation. All his life he has lived there, and nothing seems to change. He starts his freshman year in high school, only to find out that the textbooks being used in class are books from the time his mother wen’t to school. His anger flourishes, and even though he doesn't mean to, he ends up throwing the textbook at his teacher.

                This was a crucial moment that would define his life forever. His teacher saw the potential he had, and sought to take action. The teacher told Junior (the main character'’s name) to leave the reservation. At first this was an unthinkable, never heard of decision, but it would be the one that would map out his future.

                Junior did leave the reservation. This came with a price. The people in his reservation turned their backs on him. His Indian people saw it as a form of betrayal to leave their reservation and go to a school where only white kids attended.They considered him a traitor. If this wasn’t bad enough, he had to come home everyday to deal with rude remarks from the people that lived in his reservation.

                At first it was hard to fit into this new school full of white kids, but soon after Junior's arrival he made friends who helped him make his time worth while. In the new school he went to, people were more welcoming, and most of all nonjudgmental. Back at the reservation, he would constantly get bullied. He only had one best friend on the reservation, Rowdy. Soon after leaving, Rowdy, too, turned his back on Junior.

                With the help from his new friends and coach, Junior was able to realize who he truly is. Through all the troubles he faced, he still kept going. His motivation and hardworking spirt is what makes this book inspiring.

Find it in YA FIC ALEXIE, S.